Planning commission considers comprehensive plan changes

The discussion focused on five
points of interest: a mixed-use provision, drainage,
habitat protection, economic development/tourism and
preservation of residential areas.

Brisson
recommended the following policy to be added to the
Future Land Use Element of the comp plan to promote redevelopment and
enhance the opportunity for more vibrant community centers, and mixed-use
projects involving residential and non-residential uses that will be
allowed within the commercial land-use category.

The mixed-use developments would have
residential on the second or third floors above ground-level
commercial, public, semi-public or recreational uses.

Maximum residential density will not be allowed to exceed
10 dwelling units per acre.

The commission was in favor of the proposed
language.

The commission also came to a consensus
that in order to protect the Island’s resources and natural habitats, some
attention should be paid to the planting and removal of trees. The removal of
Australian pines has been a topic of debate for many Islanders and the commission
is proposing to add an objective requiring the city to replace any tree it removes
with a native tree suitable for that location.

Second, the commission recommendedd
that newly planted trees be located to avoid power
lines and require minimal trimming.

The commission discussed how to preserve the Island’s residential areas,
and is in favor of limiting short-term rentals to a minimum of 30 days in the
R-1 zoned area. They would also like to find ways to mitigate differences in
building sizes through buffering, landscaping and architectural design to lessen
the contrast of larger newly built homes that sometimes overshadow smaller existing
homes.

The commission will continue discussion
of these points at a future meeting.

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